Tight end Tony Gonzalez re-joined the Falcons after missing most of training camp. Gonzalez, who had been spending time with his family in California, said he had all the practice installations sent to his iPad and is up to speed on the playbook. Gonzalez is expected to get extensive playing time in this week’s preseason game

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Jonathan Jones reports that quarterback Jimmy Clausen might work with the second team offense during Thursday night’s preseason game. I think veteran Derek Anderson still is set as the top backup to Cam Newton, but the Panthers might want to give Clausen an extended look.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Receiver Marques Colston has practiced the last two days. But Colston said he has not fully recovered from a foot injury. I don’t expect to see much of Colston in the remaining two preseason games. The priority is to have Colston ready for the regular season. He already knows the offense well and the Saints need to look at some of their young receivers.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

The Bucs are expecting to give their starters extended playing time in Saturday’s preseason game at Miami. We haven’t seen a lot of the starters in the first two preseason games. The preseason doesn’t mean much. But, still, it would be comforting for fans to see quarterback Josh Freeman and the first offense at least get into some sort of rhythm.